Japanese Fibromyalgia Patient Seeks Greater Awareness, Understanding

Tokyo, Sept. 2 (Jiji Press)–A Tokyo woman with fibromyalgia is sharing on social media her experience of remaining undiagnosed for over a decade despite her persisting symptoms, highlighting challenges faced by the estimated two million patients in Japan. She is calling for greater awareness and understanding of the disease characterized by severe pain throughout the body and public support for those suffering from this often-misunderstood illness. Many fibromyalgia patients are struggling because their symptoms are not easily recognized, leading to a lack of understanding from people around them. Reina Serikyaku, a 30-year-old certified care worker, first noticed something wrong with her condition when she was a first-year student at a junior high school on Ishigaki Island, part of the city of Ishigaki in the southernmost Japan prefecture of Okinawa. She had sudden chest pain during class and was taken to hospital by ambulance. No abnormalities were found in a blood test or an electrocardiogram, however. After she moved to Tokyo for further education, the pain spread throughout her body. Despite visits to countless medical facilities, the cause behind the symptoms remained unknown. One doctor dismissed her concerns, telling her not to worry about the pain because it was just her imagination. “This hurt me most as the doctor seemed to deny that I was sick,” she recalled. Gradually, she stopped seeking medical help. The turning point came about a year and a half ago, when Serikyaku was finally diagnosed at a medical institution specializing in fibromyalgia, more than 10 years after her initial symptoms. Her husband introduced the facility to her. “I’ve finally made it to the starting point to face the disease,” Serikyaku said. Fibromyalgia is diagnosed based on widespread pain and other factors while other diseases with similar symptoms are ruled out. The Japanese Society of Fibromyalgia and Chronic Pain has compiled a list of about 130 medical institutions staffed with doctors who have received training related to fibromyalgia. But the facilities are not located evenly across the nation. Patients continue to face challenges even after diagnosis. Some find it difficult to work and therefore face financial difficulties. A petition seeking necessary support for patients with fibromyalgia and other conditions was submitted to this year’s special parliamentary session. Serikyaku was among those who gave their signatures for the petition. Many people from around the country contact Serikyaku on social media for advice and consultations, with one of them saying, “I can’t find a hospital to diagnose me,” and another complaining, “My family doesn’t understand my condition.” “I was also lonely until I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia,” Serikyaku said. By sharing her own experience, she hopes to help others access the medical care and support they need. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]